Monday, a couple dozen downtown business people gathered at Generation Center on Center Street to discuss ways to improve the business environment downtown.
John Roche, owner of Adam Miller Toys, made an especially impassioned plea for businesses downtown to promote other businesses downtown.
He noted that often times people wind up in Batavia without knowing much about all that downtown has to offer. He talked about when he finds an unfamiliar face in his business, he is sure to tell them about other retailers or places to eat. He said all of the businesses need to support each other this way.
He noted that a personal recommendation from one business owner about another business carries a lot of weight with customers.
Today, the Daily News, has a story about BID efforts to bring more customers downtown.
It's a fine story, but I wish I had taken notes on John's speech (I was there to be a businessman, not a reporter). John's impromptu address was full of vigor and community spirit. John isn't mentioned in Joanne Beck's story at all.
As a complete aside, I finally made the Daily News, though quite accidentally, I'm sure and not at all noticeable to anybody but my mother, if she saw the picture, but I'm sitting in front of Don Burkel in this photo.
